This Tool Can Block Ads in Almost Any IPhone App.
Although iOS added support for ad blockers about a decade ago , these apps do little to block ads outside of Safari. To block in-game ads, like those you see in Apple apps, you had to install a separate VPN or DNS-based ad blocker, which had its drawbacks and limitations. This is changing thanks to a new feature in iOS 26 called “URL Filters.” This new feature allows developers to block or allow URL requests by checking those URLs against an internal list. This feature thus allows ad blockers to expand their reach beyond Safari, allowing you to block ads in other apps as well.
How URL Filters Improve iOS Ad Blockers
Using ad blockers with URL filters enabled has several benefits. The new feature better protects your privacy, as apps that use URL filters cannot access your traffic data. This means your ad blocker can block ads without seeing what you’re doing. URL filters also reduce the likelihood of damaging web pages, as this feature blocks individual URLs rather than entire domains. Furthermore, you can use an ad blocker that supports URL filters alongside a VPN , DNS-based blocker, or iCloud Private Relay , so it’s not a choice between one or the other.
I first encountered this benefit using the ad blocker Wipr 2 , which I’ve been using for the past two years. Wipr 2’s developer recently released a new feature called Filtr , which uses iOS 26 URL filters to block ads outside of Safari. This should work with many ad-supported apps, including third-party browsers like Google Chrome. I purchased Filtr as soon as I learned about it and, after several weeks of testing, noticed a positive change in my browsing experience.
Using an ad blocker with URL filters, such as Wipr 2.
I can confirm that Filtr blocks ads in Chrome for iOS, Firefox Mobile, and most other apps that use third-party ad networks. Google News doesn’t display native ads, but when clicking on an article, the news site displays ads from third-party networks. With Filtr enabled, I didn’t see any ads while reading the news. On some sites, I saw an empty gray box with the word “ad,” but the ads themselves didn’t load. Filtr was also able to block sponsored widgets from Taboola, which often have clickbait headlines that lead to strange websites. According to several Reddit users , this ad blocker even blocks Apple ads in Apple News, which appears to be the first time Apple has blocked native ads .
This feature is also great for sports apps, as it blocks ads in Fotmob (a soccer scores app) and ESPN Cricinfo (a cricket news app). In Cricinfo, ads are embedded in the results bar at the top of the page, and I was pleased to find that they disappeared after activating the ad blocker. Wipr 2 also helped with m-Indicator, the app I use for public transportation in Mumbai. While it’s a great navigation app, it tends to show ads every time you check your route, and when you return, it displays a full-screen video ad, usually suggesting you install another app. It’s much more convenient now.
I usually avoid free mobile games, but I have one called Ludo King, a mobile version of the board game Ludo . My ad blocker was able to remove the ads in this game, which makes a difference. I’m sure you’ve played free games that show one or two videos for extra rewards or play time, and with Filter enabled, those videos didn’t load. This might be annoying for some people who genuinely need to watch ads to keep playing, but for me, it breaks the cycle of addiction.
URL filters have a number of significant limitations.
Unfortunately, Filtr can’t block ads served through in-app networks. This includes platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram. In this case, a workaround is to use the app’s mobile websites, as ad blockers like Wipr 2 can block ads served in Safari. While I’d love to be able to install a single app to get rid of ads everywhere, that’s simply not possible today.
Wipr 2 was released in late 2024. It costs $5 (one-time fee) and is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Filtr is a paid add-on to Wipr 2, costing $5 annually or $25 (one-time fee). If you don’t want to pay for an ad blocker, you can use a combination of apps for free ad blocking. uBlock Origin for Safari should meet most of your needs, and you can use it in combination with a free DNS-based blocker like NextDNS to block ads in other apps.